Efficacy of high-volume vs very low volume corticosteroid subacromial injection in subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Subacromial corticosteroid injections (SCI) treat shoulder pain from subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). However, a high-volume corticosteroid injection (HVCI) increases the incidence of local and general complications from lidocaine. This study aimed to compare the results of functional and clinical outcomes between the very low-volume corticosteroid injection (VLVCI) and HVCI including to WORC (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index), VAS (Visual Analog Scale), DASH (The disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) and ROM (Range of Motion). A total of 64 patients presenting with SIS were evaluated in two SCI volume in a randomization-controlled trial study. The VAS for pain pre-injection and post-injection at 15 min, was from 5.34 +/- 2.44 at before injection to 2.44 +/- 1.58 at post injection 15 min in the HVCI group (P < 0.001) and from 5.19 +/- 2.33 to 2.84 +/- 1.49 in VLVCI group (P < 0.001). Not significant differences at mean difference VAS post-injection 15 min VAS (P = 0.324) and Percentage difference VAS pre-injection and post-injection (P = 0.24). All follow-up timing, there were no significant differences in WORC, DASH and ROM between two groups (P > 0.05). The results revealed the VLVCI is non-inferior to HVCI both of functional outcomes and VAS.

Automated summary

This study compared the results of functional and clinical outcomes between very low-volume corticosteroid injection (VLVCI) and high-volume corticosteroid injection (HVCI). The results showed that VLVCI is non-inferior to HVCI in terms of pain relief and rehabilitation.